FCI Supports the Launch of RICS Value the Planet Campaign

We recently attended the launch of an important new campaign from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The call was for the property industry to do more to preserve the planet for the future through implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

RICS’  Value the Planet campaign promotes the preservation of the planet through the implementation of these SDGs. As a participant of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, RICS is committed to supporting delivery of the SDGs within the property industry.

The built environment has a huge role to play and through its royal charter, RICS has a clear public interest responsibility to demonstrate the benefits that the surveying profession provides in offering solutions to society’s most challenging issues.

At the event in RICS HQ in Parliament Square London, the Business Toolkit on Implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals was launched. It provides recommendations for businesses on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the built environment.

This will help the surveying profession and the wider property industry to take responsibility and accountability for the management of standards. These relate to management and commitment; diversity and collaboration; well-being and employment; community and supplier engagement; and environmental protection.

For the environment, this includes compliance with regulation and proactive disclosure of performance; reduction in environmental impacts, e.g. energy, transport, water; use of projects to provide a step change; promotion of biodiversity as an environmental and social benefit and incorporating the concept of circular economy into the supply chain and business operations.

Environmental considerations affect real estate in all sectors. Increasingly there are implications for how we buy, sell, use and value real estate.

The RICS Guide for advancing responsible business in Land, Construction and Real Estate provides detailed guidance on how the property sector can adopt sustainable practices that support the SDGs.

Matthew Howell, RICS UK MD said: “RICS’ Value the Planet campaign launch will today provide our professionals with a new paper to assist them with implementing the UN goals, and RICS resources to help them be accountable for the sake of future generations.  We are committed to supporting our professionals and firms in this area.

This long term campaign is an opportunity for the UK profession to show its green credentials and to lead on innovation, action and investment in a low-carbon economy, to safeguard the planet and promoting sustained economic growth and human security.”

Penny Andrews, Compliance Director at Future Climate Info said: “It was an inspiring event.  As the only environmental data provider regulated by RICS, we are fully committed to support the roll out of their campaign to implement best practice sustainability standards.

Future Climate Info will be integrating these SDGs across all aspects of our business and make sustainability part of our compliance culture and accounting function.  Through this, our data and expertise will ensure that property professionals access accurate, clear assessments to enable informed decisions on wider environmental risk impacts. “

RICS will be consulting on a new professional statement to ask how the SDGs can be woven into the ethical standards and education of Chartered Surveyors.

Here is more information about how we are regulated by RICS and how it guides our client support, environmental risk assessments, professional opinions and site reviews. For more information, contact us on 01732 755 180 or email info@futureclimateinfo.com